• NIGERIA

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has donated N50 million to
the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) to secure it against Boko Haram
attacks.

This followed the incessant attacks that have destroyed many lives
and property in the institution, including that of Prof. Aliyu Mani of
the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The fund was released after a meeting of security agencies at the
university on Monday. According to the security agencies, the money
would be uto dig 27-kilometre trenches to prevent the terrorists from
sneaking in to carry out suicide bombings.

The university authourity had earlier engaged the services of 50
local vigilance groups to protect the north and east flanks of the
campus. Shettima said: â€œThese trenches would make it impossible for the
insurgents to cross into the campus on foot or drive in to cause anarchy
to lives and property.â€

He stressed that part of the fund would be used for the payment of
allowances to the special guards who would work with the military and
police to secure the university.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of UNIMAID, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba told the
governor that N2.8 billion was required to erect a parameter fence at
the eastern flank of the campus.

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff (COAS), Air Marshal Sadique
Abubakar has urged the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel involved in
the insurgency fight to make judicious use of the resources in their
care.

A statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air
Commodore, Olatokunbo Adesanya, said Abubakar made the call yesterday in
Maiduguri, Borno State. He stated that the NAF leadership was mindful
of the enormous sacrifices by the NAF personnel, who were unable to
celebrate Sallah with their family members.

The NAF has also organised a medical outreach programme at the
internally displaced personsâ€™ camp in Banki, Borno State. During the
two-day outreach, the team carried out four minor surgeries on three
children and one adult and took delivery of three babies.